Today in 1996 Skew Siskin released the album Voices from the War
Berlin, Germany Hard Rock
Status:Active
Years active: 1990-Present
Fronted by charismatic female singer Nina Alice, Skew Siskin is first and foremost a heavy rock'n'roll band, with AC/DC being the plainest and most obvious influence. At their heaviest one can hear traces of Motorhead (Lemmy is apparently a big fan of the group). Their debut album scored a minor hit in America with "If The Walls Could Talk", which got some decent MTV play at the time. Skew Siskin clearly isn't about innovation, but for AC/DC-styled hard rock, they fit the bill perfectly. They haven't recorded since 2007 but are still active and touring.
Today in 1996 Purgatory released there debut album Damage Done by Worms
Nossen, Saxony, Germany Death Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1993-Present
PURGATORY officially started in the beginning of 1993 as the continuation of the two bands MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION. The founding members Uwe (bass) and René (guit./ voc.) came from MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION contributed Lutz (drums) for the new band. At that time PURGATORY was only a project with insignificant attention, but when MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION split up, PURGATORY became serious.
In October 1993 PURGATORY recorded their first demo tape, which was a live recording called "Live...Perversion". A half year later the band released their first single: The debut 7" Ep "Psychopathia Sexualis", which was released by PERVERTED TASTE RECORDS in March 1994.
In August 1994 Sick from DARK DECADE became the new vocalist. The following 7" Ep was recorded with him. It was called "Sadistic Spell" where PURGATORY refined their style and improved their sound and was also released by PERVERTED TASTE REC.
Their first CD "Damage Done By Worms" was finally released in October 1996. The next climax was the first tour with VADER, which was bigger than the others, but short time later Uwe left the band. Usche, who played guitar in the already mentioned death metal band DARK DECADE, was recruited to be the new bassist.
In the beginning of 1997 PURGATORY released a split Ep with the band SEIRIM. Their second full time CD "Bestial" followed shortly after that, which was promoted on tour with IMPENDING DOOM and COERCION and later with VADER.
1999 there was another change on the bass: Torsten came from APROSOPY and adapted at once in the preparations for the impending CD which was recorded in May 2000. This trendless, brutal and fast album was unleashed in September 2000. It was called "Blessed With Flames Of Hate" and was also a PERVERTED TASTE REC. release. A lot of gigs and tours followed with SEIRIM, AMON AMARTH, VADER, PENTACLE, CENTURIAN and a lot more.
Perverted Taste Records
Lutz Drums
René Guitars, Vocals
Sick Vocals
Uwe Bass
Guest/Session
Janett Vocals (female)
Jens Eisbein Keyboards
1. Orgy of Sickening Dreams 04:59
2. Deep Under the Light 03:48
3. Sodomizing Time 04:36
4. Robes of Skin 04:52
5. Psychopathia Sexualis Pt. II 02:33
6. Necrocannibalistical Insanity 04:37
7. Brood of Incest 04:11
8. Irresolute Subjection 04:48
9. The Final Breath 05:02
10. Frozen Braincells 03:41
11. Paroxysm of Mortal Lust 04:46
12. Sadistic Spell 03:44
13. Necromanical Necropsy 03:35
55:12
CD bonus tracks (10-13) from Sadistic Spell (EP, 1995))
Recording information:
Songs 1–9 were recorded, mixed and mastered in March / April 1996 at Brückenhaus Audio Productions Dresden.
Songs 10-13 were recorded and mixed in October 1994 and re-mastered in April 1996 at Brückenhaus Audio Productions Dresden.
Engineered and produced by Jens Eisbein, Michael Heidrich and Purgatory.
Today in 1996 Def Leppard released the single Breathe a Sigh
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England NWOBHM (early), Hard Rock (later)
Status:Active
Years active:1977 (as Atomic Mass), 1977-present
In 1980, just before the impact of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was truly felt, an unknown band by the name of Def Leppard released its debut album. On Through The Night has an accessible, undeniably British sound, yet was still had a rough metal style, unlike most of their future works, with tracks such as "Rock Brigade" and "Rocks Off" getting some good radio play. It's truly a great album, and is recommended even to those who aren't fans of the later DL albums. By the time of their next album, High And Dry, they had shifted producers and started developing the commercialized, pop-metal sound that would become their trademark for years to come. The rest of the eighties was owned by Def Leppard, with albums such as Pyromania and Hysteria proving massively successful while at the same time drawing the ire from "real" metal fans who found their work far too polished and poppy. Though they have had more of their share of ups and downs (drummer Rick Allen losing his arm in a car accident, the loss of Steve Clark), they have stayed the course, continuing to tour and release albums with that classic DL sound (1996's Slang an exception to this, an attempt to toughen and broaden their sound that wasn't well received).
Bludgeon Riffola
Rick "Sav" SavageBass
Joe ElliottVocals
Rick AllenDrums
Phil CollenGuitars
Vivian CampbellGuitars
1.Breathe a Sigh04:06
2.Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) (live)03:08
3.Deliver Me (live)02:47
4.Slang (live)02:26
12:27
Tracks 2 & 3: recorded on August 31st, 1996 at The Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountainview, CA.
Track 4: recorded on September 15, 1996 at The Molson Centre, Montreal, CAN.
Today in 1995 Anthrax released the single High Octane
Yonkers, New York Speed/Thrash, Groove Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1981-present
As one of the so-called Big Four of 80's thrash metal (alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth), Anthrax enjoyed massive success in the 80's and still command a strong presence to this day. The group debuted with the raw, Metallica-ish Fistful Of Metal (the two bands being early signings to the Megaforce label), but it was the arrival of distinctive vocalist Joey Belladonna that coincided with the band taking off, with albums such as Spreading The Disease and Among The Living being bonafide thrash classics. By the end of the decade, however, relations between Belladonna and the others soured, resulting in his less-than-amicable departure. With new vocalist John Bush from Armored Saint in tow, Anthrax embarked on the second phase of their career. Despite good albums and Bush's unquestionable talent, Anthrax's popularity waned somewhat during the nineties, the band still holding on to their large fan base but not at the metal forefront as in years past.
The new millennium has seen the trials and tribulations of Anthrax reach almost soap-opera proportions. A reunion with Belladonna and old guitarist Dan Spitz led to a rejuvenated band and tour, and all seemed right with the world. But of course it couldn't last, and so out went Belladonna and Spitz, replaced by the unknown Dan Nelson and erstwhile guitarist Rob Caggiano. More drama ensued when Nelson was unceremoniously dumped from the band on the eve of a major tour, delaying the release of their already-recorded new album. And didn't we all see this coming? Joey Belladonna is back in the band as of May 2010, set to re-record vocals for the new album as well as tour. That new album, Worship Music, was released a year later.
Today in 1992 Acheron released then single Alla Xul
Tampa, Florida (early), Columbus, Ohio (now)Death/Black Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1988-2010, 2010-present
Acheron have been an cult band for several years, releasing albums on a several underground labels and having featured a variety of well-known death metal musicians over time as their lineup has frequently changed surrounding founder Vincent Crowley. Based on the one album reviewed here (1998's Those Who Have Risen), the basics of Acheron might be described as mid-paced Satanic death metal, with heavy, down-tuned, Celtic Frost-style guitar riffs and atmospheric keyboards that give the tunes a haunted feel. This is not a complicated band, there's little in the way of technical wizardry, but the songs are catchy in a dark kind of way, and to be honest this style really isn't all that common these days. They announced their breakup in April 2010, only to reform in December.
Gutted Records
Vincent Crowley Vocals, Bass, Lyrics
Tony Blakk Guitars (rhythm)
Vincent Breeding Guitars (lead)
Mike Browning Drums
Side A
1. Alla Xul 02:22
Side B
2. One with Darkness 03:16
05:38
7" EP pressed on blood-red vinyl. Limited to 1,000 copies.
Side A runs at 33⅓ RPM.
Side B runs at 45 RPM.
Recording information:
Recorded in November 1992, at Audio Lab Recording Studio in Tampa, FL, USA.
Today in 1989 Whitesnake released the album Slip Of The Toungue
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England Hard rock blues rock heavy metal Status:Active Years active 1978–1990, 1994, 1997, 2002–present After recording two solo albums, former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale formed Whitesnake around 1977. In the glut of hard rock and heavy metal bands of the late '70s, their first albums got somewhat lost in the shuffle, although they were fairly popular in Europe and Japan. During 1982, Coverdale took some time off so he could take care of his sick daughter. When he re-emerged with a new version of Whitesnake in 1984, the band sounded revitalized and energetic. Slide It In may have relied on Led Zeppelin's and Deep Purple's old tricks, but the band had a knack for writing hooks; the record became their first platinum album. Three years later, Whitesnake released an eponymous album (titled 1987 in Europe) that was even better. Portions of the album were blatantly derivative -- "Still of the Night" was a dead ringer for early Zeppelin -- but the group could write powerful, heavy rockers like "Here I Go Again" that were driven as much by melody as riffs, as well as hit power ballads like "Is This Love." Whitesnake was an enormous international success, selling over six million copies in the U.S. alone. Geffen/Warner Bros David Coverdale – vocals Steve Vai – guitar Adrian Vandenberg – guitar (credited but not recorded) Rudy Sarzo – bass Tommy Aldridge – drums Guest musicians[edit] Don Airey, David Rosenthal, Claude Gaudette – keyboards Glenn Hughes, Tommy Funderburk, Richard Page – backing vocals All tracks written by David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg, except where noted. No. Title Length 1. "Slip of the Tongue" 5:20 2. "Cheap an' Nasty" 3:28 3. "Fool for Your Loving '89" (Coverdale, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody) 4:10 4. "Now You're Gone" 4:11 5. "Kittens Got Claws" 5:00 6. "Wings of the Storm" 5:00 7. "The Deeper the Love" 4:22 8. "Judgement Day" 5:15 9. "Slow Poke Music" 3:59 10. "Sailing Ships" 6:02 20th Anniversary Edition bonus tracks No. Title Length 11. "Sweet Lady Luck" (Single B-side) 4:37 12. "Now You're Gone" (US Single Remix) 4:07 13. "Fool for Your Loving" (Vai Voltage Mix) 4:17 14. "Judgement Day" (from Live: In the Shadow of the Blues) 5:38 15. "Slip of the Tongue" (from Live at Donington 1990) 5:41 16. "Kittens Got Claws" (from Live at Donington 1990) 4:58 20th Anniversary Edition DVD No. Title Length 1. "Fool for Your Loving '89" (Music video) 4:27 2. "Now You're Gone" (Music video) 4:09 3. "The Deeper the Love" (Music video) 4:17 4. "The Deeper the Love" (live, from Starkers in Tokyo) 4:02 5. "Sailing Ships" (live, from Starkers in Tokyo) 4:06 6. "Judgement Day" (from Live... In the Still of the Night) 5:22 7. "Slip of the Tongue" (from Live at Donington 1990) 5:54 8. "Kittens Got Claws" (from Live at Donington 1990) 5:01 Slip of the Tongue is the eighth studio album by the British hard rock band Whitesnake, released in 1989. The album peaked at number 10 on both the UK Album Chart and US Billboard 200. Four singles were released from the album: "Fool for Your Loving", "The Deeper the Love", "Now You're Gone" and "Judgement Day". All the singles hit the US Mainstream Rock Tracks top 40, and "The Deeper the Love" and "Fool For Your Loving" were top 5. Slip of the Tongue has sold over one million copies in the US, reaching platinum state. "Fool for Your Loving" originally appeared on the album Ready an' Willing, but it was re-recorded for this album.
Today in 1988 Manowar released the album Kings of Metal
Auburn, New York Heavy/Power Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1980-present
After almost thirty years in the business, Manowar continues to rally around their "Death To False Metal" battle cry. Though their over-the-top image and lyrics occasionally come across as slightly cheesy, their determination to stand by their beliefs is commendable, and the fact of the matter is that songs such as "Blood Of My Enemies", "Guyana", "Battle Hymns", and "Defender" rank as among the most brilliant, majestic metal songs ever recorded by any band. It's amazing that, after all this time, Manowar still has a sound that really isn't like anyone else, highlighted by Eric Adam's excellent vocals and a pounding rhythm section led by bassist (and chief songwriter) Joey DeMaio. While Manowar fanatics will doubtless argue that all of their albums are equally outstanding and brilliant, the opinion here is that their early work, particularly the first four albums, are far superior to their later albums, with the 1984 pair of Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer being their best works. They've mainly stuck to releasing live albums and DVDs over the last decade, along with two studio albums in 2002 and 2007, and they're clearly still a major metal force in Europe.
Atlantic Records
Eric Adams - vocals
Ross the Boss - guitar
Joey DeMaio - bass guitar
Scott Columbus(R.I.P. 2011) - drums
Guest/Session
Grant Williams "Grandson" voice on "The Warrior's Prayer"
Arthur Pendragon Wilshire "Grandfather" voice on "The Warrior's Prayer"
1. Wheels of Fire (4:10)
2. Kings of Metal (3:45)
3. Heart of Steel (5:10)
4. Sting of the Bumblebee (2:49)
5. The Crown and the Ring (Lament of the Kings) (4:50)
6. Kingdom Come (3:56)
7. Pleasure Slave (5:38)
8. Hail and Kill (5:58)
9. The Warrior's Prayer (4:20)
10. Blood of the Kings (7:29)
Total Time: 48:09
European and American CD bonus track:
7. Pleasure Slave (5:38)
Kings of Metal is the sixth album by heavy metal band Manowar. Released in 1988 by Atlantic Records, it is thought by many to be among their very best releases.[citation needed]
The album was the last to feature guitarist and founding member Ross "The Boss" Friedman, who later went on to rejoin punk band The Dictators. Drummer Scott Columbus left the band after this album as well, but rejoined for 1996's Louder Than Hell and remained with the band until 2008
